Small business plea issued

Mr Butler said the main aim of the campaign, which started last month, was to highlight the success of small businesses in the area.

“This is the third year of the campaign,” he said, “and it has the full support of the Federation of Small Businesses.

“Large firms in Lagan Valley have been tremendously successful, but we cannot forget the equally vitally important role which the small business community has to play in kickstarting the economic regeneration of the constituency as a whole.

“In this respect, local consumers play a pivotal role in guaranteeing the success, not just of Small Business Saturday, but also in buying local throughout the entire year and not just during the traditional festive shopping bonanzas.

“This sort of ‘shop local’ agenda can work to boost the local economy, just as the ‘buy local’ campaign helped to regenerate the local farming community when consumers were encouraged to buy local produce from Lagan Valley farmers.

“I urge all local shoppers to pledge not just to support the local business community on Small Business Saturday, but throughout the entire year.”